The Walking Plague Virus

By Joseph J. Corrado

Junkies are a dime a dozen when it comes to the Garden County Jail. On a cold, snowy, winter night, Officer Joe Corrado is processing a new, rather peculiar intake. After an incident ensued, unlike anything he had ever seen before, which inevitably changes the course of the night for the worse, some quick and difficult choices most be made.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350903294

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The Walking Plague Virus

© 2023 by Joseph J. Corrado

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. ISBN: 979-8-35090-328-7 eBook: 979-8-35090-329-4

Contents

Chapter 1

The Introduction/The Run Around

Chapter 2

Outbreak/The Last Normal Day

Chapter 3

The Walking Plague

Chapter 4

A Change of Plans

Chapter 5

The Front Lines

Chapter 6

No More Power

Chapter 7

Stronger together

Chapter 8

Food Scarcity

Chapter 9

Let’s Get Out Of Here

Chapter 10

Man Against Nature

Chapter 11

Three Months Later

Chapter 1

The Introduction/The Run Around

In an unknown location, it’s cold, damp, and smells like urine and feces. One man is finally gaining consciousness.

As the man begins to regain consciousness, a mysterious voice addressed the now conscious man. Hey partner, glad to see you’re finally awake. What’s your name?

The now conscious man slowly sits up and responds, while rubbing his face and looking around, Ugh, I’m Joe. Where am I? Who are all of these people?

The curious man responds, Well, I’m Tommy, thanks for asking. As Tommy stands up from squatting down with his back against the cold, damp wall, he extends his right arm toward Joe to initiate a handshake.

Tommy smirks and looks around at the other prisoners. And I’mhonestly not sure where we are. But it appears to be a big jail cell. And everybody just appears to be part of a random collection of live human bodies that the infected have captured.

Hey, Tom! Another unknown voice screams out, sounding tired and raspy. Are you done with your small talk with this dude!?! The other unknown man is also squatting down with his back against the cold, damp wall with his face just peeking through the shadow of the wall.

Hey buddy, you mind telling us a little about yourself. My boys and I are just a little curious. I mean, you look a little more advanced than the rest of these assholes in here.

Tom intervenes, Joe, please excuse my friend, that’s Steve, and he’s just really antsy and wants to break out of this place. Tom shrugs his shoulders as he looks around and says, We all do, as Tom’s voice starts to fade to a strained whisper.

Joe continuously looks around, and then looks at Steve and responds, I’m a Sheriff’s Officer.

Steve and Tom look at each other and shrug their shoulders. Oh, cool. So, you mind telling us how you got caught up in this shithole?

Joe responds reluctantly, exhaling with a sigh, Sure, I remember it like it was yesterday. He begins to rub his hands together slowly, nods his head around lightly, and bites his lower lip like he’s getting ready to tell a campfire tale.

It was just a normal, regular day. Joe begins telling his tale, as he squints a little. And then that sick, homeless guy was brought to our jail. That piece of filth bit my boy, and things haven’t been the same since.

Chapter 2

Outbreak/The Last Normal Day

It was a cold and nippy mid-winter morning. The date was January 12th. Outside, it was snowing lightly. I was getting ready for work at the local county jail. . ..

After waking up at 5:40 a.m., Joe had to check his phone and read all of the lovely text messages that his beautiful girlfriend had sent him through the night as he was sleeping. It’s 12:00 a.m. and we’re officially seven months pregnant. I can’t wait for us to finally get married and get a place of our own. No rush my love.

Joe chuckled and smirked, thinking to himself, Love is a crazy thing. But if you aren’t ready for marriage, don’t rush it.

Joe took his normal morning shower, got dressed in his awesome correctional officer uniform and gear, and snapped in his badass .45 Smith & Wesson in his holster.

Joe smirked and chuckled again. Then glanced over at the long, vertical mirror he had set cup on his bedroom wall and said, Damn, I look good. The last two things he did was spray on some cologne and smack on some hair gel. And down the stairs he went.

As Joe walked through the kitchen at approximately 6:10 a.m., he was stopped by his father, a good, hardworking man. Hey Joe! his father shouted out. Good morning, Champ, do you think you’ll be free later? Your grandfather and I are probably going to need your help at the shop. Joe’s father owned a very successful, very well-known auto repair shop. Joe responded to his father and said, No, sorry, dad. I’m working a double today.

As Joe was driving to work, he did his usual. He ate an apple and drank his iced tea—it was peach flavored, and he loved peach-flavored iced tea. It was a typical peaceful morning drive to work. He was listening to ESPN Radio; he loved his sports. He really missed listening to Mike & Mike in the morning on ESPN Radio. The two of them made a great team, and Joe felt a real connection with those guys. But then they ended their show and went their separate ways. Those guys had been really fun to listen to.

Joe pulled into the employee parking lot, parked his one of a kind 2000 Navy Blue Ford Explorer, turned it off and hopped out.

He was greeted by some coworkers. Good morning, Corrado, some guys replied. In this line of work, your coworkers call you by your last name. Good morning, fellahs, Joe replied. Then they all began their walk to the jail, about a block away.

As they were all walking together, they saw a couple of homeless people sleeping around a park bench. It is so sad, but so remarkable how a person can accumulate stuff and create a makeshift tent out of a park bench, a baby stroller, and a blanket. And you can’t forget the cardboard—that damn cardboard is really good for insulation.

As they approached the jail, they all were greeted by three more C.Os, just standing around, drinking their coffee, havin’ a smoke and making small talk outside about the game last night.

Before Joe and the other officers entered the jail, Joe stopped for a moment and glanced up at the morning sky, still dark. The light posts posted high up on the jail’s outside structure, bolted into the old, dirty, white brick were shining down upon and illuminating the words "Garden County Jail’’. Joe took a gulp and embraced the goose bumps he got every time he

walked into this building. Embrace the madness, young man.

Joe finally entered the lobby of the jail through the first door. He flashed the guard on duty his I.D. and then walked through the metal detector. Once he passed through the metal detector, he looked up at the camera and waved his I.D. as a sarcastic good morning gesture, then he advanced through the second door.

Now he’s almost fully inside the jail, to enter and or exit, you have to get buzzed in or out by Central Control. Upon getting buzzed in, Joe waved to Central Control through the window. Hey, good morning, Joe shouted in a friendly reply as he turned to walk into the gun locker room. Ho! Watch out! a random coworker shouted. Everybody instantly looked at the floor where the older coworker was pointing. It’s a cockroach, Joe replied as he pointed his right index finger at it and laughed. I’ll name him Fred. So, everybody, watch out for Fred.

Joe, you’re shot out bro, another coworker jokingly replied.

(Hey kid, you wanna make a good living when you get older?) asked the cockroach,

(Oh! Boy! Do I!) replied the young boy.

(Well, when you become of age, just go take the civil service exam and get hired by the Garden County Jail. We’re all happy here.) replied the cockroach with a sarcastic smile and an awkward wink.

(Gee thanx, Mr. Cockroach. I’m going to go back to eating my stale Lucky Charms now.) replied the young boy.

. . . . .(Who wouldn’t like to walk amongst mad people, ay? Well, misery loves company, and we’re all mad here ya fUCK). . . . .

Taking off all of your weapons and gear felt like a competition in the locker room—who can be in and out the fastest? Everybody playfully screamed out, Whoa! Hey! This freakin’ guy! Get the hell out of my way!

As they all laughed, Joe was finally all clear of his duty belt. And ready to exit the gun locker room.

As he exited the gun locker room, he waved again to Central Control. This time they buzzed him into the jail, bars and all (bzzz).

Joe walked across and got ready for line-up. He waved hello to some guys, shook some hands. Good morning, fellas, Joe replied. What’s up Corrado, they said, as they all stood for line-up, waiting for the sergeants and lieutenants to walk in.

One of Joe’s closest friends on the job, Officer Doyle approached Joe. The two saw one another, smacked hands and gave each other a bro hug. Then Doyle sparked up a conversation, Hey Joe Doyle stated. Wud up, Joe replied.

Did you hear about that new drug that’s circulating in our local area? Doyle asked, Nah, bro. What is it? Joe responded.

Well, according to Channel 12, you take it in a pill form, or you can crush it up and snort it, you know the things people would do to get high. Well, people take it and it makes people go crazy, it’s like a new PCP or something, Doyle addressed Joe.

Holding his lunch bag with both hands, lightly tapping the back of his head against the wall, Joe replied, Dude, I love you and everything, but it’s way too early for this shit.

Shrugging his shoulders, and giving a light chuckle, Doyle responded, Sorry, dude. But the craziest of all is that its origin is right here in our own backyard, Paterson, New Jersey.

Really!?! Joe asked, as he jerked his head forward in shock, and made a disgusted face. Wow, bro. Shit is pretty crazy out there, huh, Joe replied.

Sergeants and Lieutenants walked in, now the line-up had finally begun. Good morning, ladies and gentleman, the Sergeants and Lieutenants said. Good morning, sirs, everybody replied, as all of the officers saluted each other.

During the first shift line-up, Joe really only paid attention to his own name, and which post he was assigned to work for the shift. But he just happened to hear where his closest friend was working. Officer Doyle, booking and receiving.

Officer Doyle loved working booking and receiving, he always said how he loved the fast-paced nature of that post. Not to mention, you’re the officer who fingerprints and takes the mugshots of the person, when they come into the jail. Officer Doyle finds that really cool. So, when Doyle got his name called, a big smirk came over his face. And he lightly tapped Joe with his elbow.

After a few more names got called, finally Joe heard his name, 2 Main, Left Side, Corrado. Now, Joe looked at Doyle with a smirk. 2 Main Left side, better known as MAX, can either go one of two ways—either it can be really easy, and not much going on, or very busy and guys going all over the place. Either way, Joe didn’t mind that post.

First shift flew by for Joe, just like it always did. Things were very busy and fast-paced. Now the real fun began, the home stretch, the back half of a sixteen-hour work day, and the second shift began.

Roughly 20 minutes before the second shift began, Joe checked his work profile. Each officer had a work profile, and one of the things the officer could find on their profile, is which post they’re working for the next shift.

For the second shift, Joe just so happened to be working on booking and receiving. Joe sighed and said out loud to himself, Well, this will be fun. Joe very rarely worked receiving, so he was still learning the equipment.

As Joe walked into the booking/receiving room, he saw Doyle standing there, just standing around the photo machine, by himself.

The two friends saw each other. This motherfucker!! Doyle shouted proudly, with a big smile on his face, as the two friends gave each other a bro hug.

Joe placed his lunchbox on the chair for a moment, and replied to Doyle Dude, where is your relief? Doyle answered Joe, Bro! I am my relief! I’m working this damn post back to back shifts! And now we’re partners, bro! Fuck yeah! Joe threw on a big smile, because he now knew that no matter what happened, he was going to have a good, fun shift. There is nothing better than working with somebody that you are genuinely friends with, and somebody that you genuinely trust with your life—and that was Joe and Doyle.

Second shift started off kind of slow, not much going on. Joe’s favorite Sergeant made his first round by the boys. Good afternoon, Sergeant Pepper Joe and Doyle saluted and said as they saw his roughly six-foot tall, medium-build physique, his slicked back dirty blonde hair and his tomato-red face, Sergeant Pepper saluted in return. Sergeant Pepper was a very professional man, he believed in business before pleasure —a phrase he lived by. But every so often he would mention his teenage son, and how his sense of music was completely horrendous. Hey boys, Sergeant Pepper replied, as he signed the post log book. So, last night, my son was blasting his music, while he was doing his homework. I had no idea what the fuck that band or rapper was saying, he said, as he shook his head in disgust. Yeah Serg, there’s nothing like that old school rock-n-roll, even a little old school hip-hop, Joe replied. As Sergeant Pepper was leaving the boys’ post, he stopped and turned his head, now facing the boys from a profile perspective, and replied, There’s nothing like The Beatles; I don’t care what anybody says. You got that right, Serg! said the boys, who along with Sergeant Pepper shared a nice laugh. You boys behave yourselves, I’ll stop back later.

The time is now 8:30 at night; two officers brought in a man who appeared to be homeless. The officers looked very disgusted with the man. The homeless man shuffled his feet, while being ushered in by the cops.

His skin and fingers looked badly frostbitten, not to mention he looked emaciated. His hair was dark with streaks of gray in it and wild and looked like he hadn’t had a shower and a haircut in years. Not to mention that the clothes he had on looked like they barely survived a treacherous mudslide, and he smelled horrendous.

Alright gentlemen, what do we have here? Joe asked, as Doyle grabbed the man. We don’t know if he is homeless or what is up with him. But, he is clearly on some heavy shit. We found him lying down on the sidewalk, right in front of the elementary school. The officer paused for a moment, turned his head to look at Joe and smirked as he chuckled, He also had to bird out and was pissing straight up into the air like a water fountain. The officer turned back to face the man. He seemed really out of it; he was unable to talk clearly. We charged him with loitering and indecent exposure in front of a public building. And based on his appearance, he’ll fail a drug test. Now, aside from that, the temperature was dropping, along with the snowfall picking up. So, we decided to hand him over to you guys, the street cop answered. Well, thank you, gentlemen, we’ll take it from here," Doyle replied, as he reluctantly guided the man toward the birdcage.

As Doyle put the nasty man into the cage, he tried talking to him. Damn bro, you ok? You seem like you really let yourself go. Joe and Doyle shared a laugh, although they were both concerned for the man. As Joe locked the cell, he turned to Doyle and said We’ll give him a few minutes, maybe he’ll sober up.

As the minutes passed, the man did not show any signs of improving. Joe and Doyle would take care of other people that came in, taking their mug shots and fingerprints.

It has been approximately 30 minutes now. Joe approached the birdcage, and addressed the man ight bro, you’re going to have to get up now, my buddy and I have to take your picture and fingerprint you for our file.

But the man was just lying on the floor, mumbling to himself. He was sweating really bad now, and from the look in his eyes, appeared that the man was really dazed.

Joe turned back and called for Doyle, Hey Doyle, come here, bro. Take a look at this guy. Do you think we should call Sergeant Pepper?

Doyle approached the cage and responded to Joe Wow, yeah man. This dude seems really out of it.

The boys radioed for Sergeant Pepper, but Serg was too busy at the moment. The boys knew that the man was just coming down from a high, of some serious street drug, either crack or heroin. So the boys just kept a close eye on the sick man.

Approximately five minutes later, the man was standing upright, a little slouched over, and facing the wall. He wasn’t saying anything or doing anything, he was just standing there. The boys took notice and said to the man, at the same time, while giving a playful laugh, Alright! You’re finally ready dude, that’s awesome.

Doyle opened the cell, and approached the man. He gently grabbed his arm, to guide him to where he needed to go for booking. Doyle grabbed the man with his right arm, and pointed with his left arm to where they needed to go.

Just as Doyle did that, the man grabbed his left arm and bit it! He took a piece of flesh, clean out, directly from Doyle›s arm. Doyle screamed in pain Ahh! Fuck! What the fuck!?! Doyle pushed that man away. Joe screamed out What the fuck is wrong with you!?! Doyle, get out of there, this guy is fucking crazy. Joe quickly slammed the cell gate, and locked it.

Doyle was bleeding moderately. But what made the boys’ ears perk up even more was that there was a black ring starting to form around the bite and flesh wound of Doyle. What the fuck? the boys said to each other, at the same time.

Joe looked up to Doyle calmly, but with concern, and said to Doyle bro, go to medical, see if they can treat that.

Doyle left Booking and Recieving, and headed to medical. As Joe was by himself, he couldn’t help but stare at and talk to the man who bit his boy. Joe stared at the man, and the man was now pushing and pressing up against the cell bars with such anger and aggression and purpose. With blood dripping from his mouth, Joe couldn’t help but ask the man again, but this time he was a little creeped out. Sir, what is wrong with you? As Joe looked at the man, he couldn’t help but notice that the man’s eyes had a grayish film over them, as if he was either blind or dead; the eyes were plane and empty.

Joe called Sergeant Pepper again. Sergeant Pepper finally responded, because Joe made sure to say, This is urgent, officer down. Sergeant came running over, along with seven other available officers. All of the officers came running over and saw Joe just standing there, without Doyle, and this vicious-looking man, dripping blood from his mouth.

The man was still pressing up against the bars, with such a passion. Everybody who came running over, saw what they saw, and they all asked, WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED HERE!?! Joe told the whole story. After Joe told the story, Sergeant Pepper had his hands on his head and he was a bit freaked out, especially after looking at the man and hearing the growling.

Sergeant Pepper told Joe to leave the man in the birdcage, and go write a quick report about what had taken place.

Meanwhile, Doyle was walking over to medical; it wasn’t a long walk. But he was a bit freaked out and concerned over the thick, black ring that had formed around the bite on his arm.

Dripping a couple of drops of blood along the way, Doyle finally made it to the medical door. He typed in the code, and replied Medical door, Doyle. As the door buzzed open, Doyle began to stagger a little bit, probably from the shock of the moment.

As he walked into the medical department, clutching his arm, it bled continuously, and the ring continued to get thicker and darker. The officer stationed in medical jumped up. Oh, my God! What the hell happened to you!? Doyle replied, I was working, receiving, and got bitten by a guy. The officer grabbed Doyle and assisted him to take a seat. He called over the nurses and the doctor. They all took one quick, immediate look at his arm and said, We can’t treat that!! Don’t you see that dark ring around the bite!?! From my knowledge, that only occurs when the bite is poisonous, and there is venom in the wound.

It had been approximately five minutes since Doyle had been bitten. And the shock of the moment was starting to overwhelm him. His coworkers didn’t know if he was feeling light-headed because of the stress of the moment, or if it was because of the bite. Either way, all of the medical personnel agreed that he should be taken to Saint Joe’s Hospital.

Sergeant Pepper walked into the medical department and saw the current condition and status of Officer Doyle. He instantly asked the medical personnel what they advised; they all said We should bring him to the hospital ASAP.

Sergeant Pepper called 6-50, the squad car that patrols around the jail, and also makes special trips like this one.

Doyle jumped up, fighting the feeling of being lightheaded. He jumped up and shouted, If I’m going to the hospital, I want Joe to go with me! Sergeant Pepper responded, If having Joe with you is going to make this incident easier on you, sure.

Joe and Doyle waited in the jail lobby for 6-50 to arrive out front, to pick them up. It didn’t take that long, maybe two minutes at most. Commander Celentano was quick to respond, especially in moments like this. Commander pulled up out front and sounded the siren to alert the boys. The boys opened the jail door to bolt to the squad car as fast as they could, the blistering cold smacked them both in the face like painful ice needles. As the boys hopped into the Ford SUV, Commander Celentano asked, What the fuck happened to you, Doyle!?! I heard you got bit! Doyle, who was clutching his forearm and was really nervous about the dark black ring that had formed around the bite, didn’t say anything. He just looked around. At that moment, Joe responded, Commander, we gotta go, I’ll tell you everything once we get Doyle some help. The squad car pulled off, sirens on and all. Weaving through traffic, getting to the hospital took approximately five minutes. If you’re keeping track, it had been approximately 12 minutes since the initial bite occurred.

The squad car pulled up around the back, where all of the emergency vehicles pulled up.

The boys jumped out and ran into the hospital, once again getting hit with the blistering cold air. Seeing a law enforcement officer with a weird bite mark on his forearm, not to mention that disgusting, disturbing, dark, black ring around it, definitely got the attention of the nurses and doctors immediately.

Doyle floated in and out of consciousness, so the doctors mainly talked to and questioned Joe. The doctors asked Joe, How did this happen? Where and when? The doctors couldn’t believe that this wound had come from a human being. Even though humans have very dirty mouths, they wouldn’t cause a dark, black ring around a bite mark. Pointing down at Doyle’s arm, the doctor stated, It’s like there’s poison or venom in this bite. But how could this be!?! This is from a human, right!?! The doctor asked Joe in disbelief.

Joe nervously responded, nodding his head up and down and fighting back the feeling of getting choked up. Y-y-yes, yes, this, this was from a human, I was maybe five feet away from him when it happened. Joe reached out to the doctor and added, Doc, this man is my best friend, is he going to be ok, as Joe started to get teary-eyed. The doctor looked at Joe, with shock and disbelief on his face as he tried to help Doyle. I’m trying, son. But I’m not going to lie—this is a first for me. This is a human bite, but with the venom of a poisonous snake. It makes no sense. And with that, Doyle started to foam at the mouth and convulse.

Nurse! Help him! Joe shouted in desperation. At this point, it had been approximately 17 minutes since the initial bite. Once the convulsing stopped, Doyle’s eyes opened up really wide, as if someone had stabbed him in the back with a long, serrated knife. Lunging forward and gripping the bed rails, Doyle was in severe pain. But for a moment, Doyle was back, and conscious again. Doyle started to speak a little bit. Nurse, ahh, I’m so cold, I’m so cold. Joe looked at Doyle and then swung his head around and screamed out, He’s cold! Turn up the heat and get him a blanket!

While Joe leaned over the bedside, he combed Doyle’s hair with his fingers. Joe spoke to Doyle, Here Doyle, take my coat, bro.

And with that, Doyle’s body just dropped on the hospital bed. In a confused but also knowing manner, Joe jerked his own head back and said Ah, Doc, what happened to Doyle?

Fuck! The doctor shouted out. Nurse, get the defibrillator.

Here, sir clear! Bzz. The doctor shouted Again! Clear! Nothing. Fuck!

And, just like that, Doyle was dead. Dead by a human bite, that appeared to be laced with poison of some sort, by an unknown man. The time was approximately 20 minutes since the initial bite occurred.

The time of night was now 8:44 p.m. The doctor put his hand on Joe’s shoulder and spoke softly, Sorry son, it’s a dangerous job you do. Your friend died in the line of duty. I’m so sorry, my staff and I did the best we could

Joe was in total shock. Thinking to himself, gradually saying out loud, What the hell just happened? Now looking around the room at the hospital staff with tears forming in his eyes, he screamed, What the hell just happened!?!..... Joe looked around with watery, glassy eyes. His lips quivered as he went to speak again, as his lips opened, spit hung connected top to bottom, and he screamed, Aahhh!!! as he put his hands over his head, Aahhh!!!, Finally folding forward, connecting hands to knees, panting and crying.

Gushing with tears, Joe walked up to Doyle’s body, and decided to shake him in disbelief and shock. Wake up, buddy, Joe whispered Wake up. You and I were going to grow old together. We were going to propose to our girlfriends together. We were going to raise our kids together. Wake up. Joe crossed his arms in a painful disbelief and walked away.

In one last attempt to disprove the fact that his friend was dead, Joe walked back up to the body and searched for a pulse from the jugular. . . . . Nothing! Joe shouted. Just as he shouted, Doyle’s eyes opened.

At first, Joe was shocked. Whoa. Dude, I thought you were dead, Joe shockingly and cautiously said to Doyle, as he took a step back but cracked a smile. With Doyle now being awakened by some miracle, Joe noticed that all of the machines that his friend was hooked up to still displayed zero signs of life. Joe also noticed that Doyle’s eyes looked a little different—they looked very similar to how the homeless man’s eyes did back in the jail, when Doyle had been bitten. There was a grayish film over his eyes as he presented that same blank stare, and Doyle was now aggressively reaching for Joe. Joe held Doyle down on the bed, at the same time calling out for help in a very concerned way. Ahh, nurse, I think something is wrong with my friend!?!

Two nurses came running over. One said, Wasn’t this man just pronounced dead? The other nurse responded, Yea! Like, two minutes ago, not even.

The first nurse that ran into the room had a blue scrub uniform that held a clip that said (#1 MOM) above her left breast pocket. She appeared to be in her mid-to-late-30s. Nurse number two who followed less than two feet behind the leading nurse was much younger, maybe early to mid-20s, and wore an all-pink scrub uniform. She had a nurse clip above her upper left breast pocket that read (This Nurse Lives For The Night Shift.)

Nurse number one walked up to the machine that displayed Doyle’s vital stats and instantly said, Hmm, that weird, your friend is clearly alive again but our brand new machine is still displaying a flatline.

Joe didn’t pay much attention to what the nurse just said; he just helped restrain Doyle. While he was doing that, he was talking to him, Doyle, buddy, I think you’re a little under the weather, dude. Struggling to hold Doyle down, Joe continued to talk to him, These nice nurses are trying to help you. As Joe said that, the one nurse replied, Oh my God, look at all of that black goo coming from his mouth, this man is really sick. Joe responded to that comment, while directing his attention to the nurse. No shit lady, we have to help him.

Just as he finished speaking, Doyle slipped out of Joe’s grip and lunged at the older nurse, sinking his teeth into her forearm. The nurse screamed and Joe and the other nurse jumped back in pure shock. Joe now lunged at Doyle, pushing him away from the nurse and everybody. A crowd of hospital staff started to form by the bedroom doorway, everybody displaying a look of shock and nervousness. Doyle came staggering over, attacking Joe, Joe pushed him back again, this time screaming at Doyle, Bro, it’s me! What the fuck is wrong with you!?! You just bit this woman who was trying to help you!

Within seconds of the lady getting bitten, that mysterious, thick, black circle formed around her bite mark, Joe took notice. This time, as Doyle came lunging at Joe, Joe kicked his feet out from under him. Then he reached down toward his own duty belt and grabbed his handcuffs, then jumped on Doyle. Joe then flipped him over with all his might, slapped one cuff on one wrist and then reached for the other and repeated the drill. Doyle was now lying on his stomach with his hands handcuffed behind his back, snarling and growling.

Joe urgently stood up and everybody now had an active injury to deal with. The nurse was bit, bleeding, and floating in and out of consciousness. Joe turned and looked at the nurse and said while pointing down at the injured nurse, Nurse, this same exact thing happened to my buddy half an hour ago.

The nurse replied in shock, Really, what, what happened?

Joe replied, Well, this happened. Please, let me call the jail.

Joe stepped into the hallway, while walking to a more secluded area. Meanwhile, more nurses and doctors were rushing into the room where the nurse had been bitten, and Doyle was handcuffed with his hands behind his back, just lying on the floor, still growling and squirming, trying to attack somebody.

Joe called the jail, requesting to talk to Sergeant Pepper. Sergeant Pepper jumped on the phone. What’s up, Joe? How is Doyle doing? Holding his phone with his right hand and holding his own head with his left hand, Joe replied to Sergeant Pepper, Serg, I think we have a problem. Doyle died on that hospital bed, within 20 minutes of getting bit.

Sergeant Pepper cut Joe off while he was talking. Fuck! How can that be!? It was only a bite.

I know, Serg, Joe interjected, but that’s not so much the problem. The problem is, and it’s really strange. Doyle came back to life, no pulse, no heartbeat. His eyes just opened up and he lunged at me, attacking me in pure rage. I had two nurses try to help me hold him to the bed and secure him safely, but he ended up biting one of the nurses. And now she is experiencing the same symptoms that Doyle did half-hour ago.

Sergeant Pepper responded in pure shock, anger and disbelief. Joe! What the fuck are you telling me!?! he shouted loudly, as if he was an auctioneer.

Huh?! Joe responded to Sergeant Pepper. Serg, all I know is, the doctor put his hand on my shoulder and told me he’s sorry. He told me that he and his staff did the best they could.

With one hand on his head, Joe nervously kept looking around at the personnel running past him. Joe started to cry a little bit, as he sniffled and tried to maintain a stable conversation.

They told me that my best friend is dead! That’s what they told me! And now he is miraculously up! . . .And walking around! . . . And, attacking people. Well, not right now! Because I currently have him handcuffed. Joe’s emotions spiked and then leveled out. But Serg, Joe sniffled a little bit. He bit a nurse. And she is experiencing the same exact symptoms that Doyle experienced.

Sergeant Pepper responded, Joe, you know this whole story sounds insane, right?

Joe responded, Hey Serg, come on down to the hospital, right in the E.R section. This shit is like something out of a horror flick.

Sergeant Pepper responded, Ok, stay put. I’m sending 6-50 to pick you up, I need to get you out of there. I’m also going to send a couple of squad cars.

Joe was too impatient to wait outside. He walked back inside and saw the horror on people’s faces. While Joe was outside, talking to Sergeant Pepper, the doctors and nurses were looking at the poor nurse that had been bitten.

Doyle had snapped his own arm, right at the wrist, shredding his thumb and freeing himself from the handcuffs. He was now attacking multiple people. Joe saw the horror and realized what had happened. He placed his hands on his head and tried to think fast. There were only two options that Joe could think of 1.) Shoot Doyle, his best friend or 2.) Try to restrain him again until backup comes.

Joe tried to do what he thought was right. He called to Doyle, one last time. With all of the commotion going on, Doyle didn’t even take notice.

At this point, Joe walked up to Doyle and ordered him to stop. Of course he didn’t listen.

With one last glimmer of hope, Joe stuck his hand out, arm fully extended, and ordered Doyle.

Doyle! Do not come any closer. That is an order. Next order I give, I will shoot. Doyle did not comply, so Joe shot him in the chest, center of body mass, basic cop training 101. That shot to the chest did absolutely nothing to stop Doyle. Joe backed up in pure shock.

Just as Joe went to raise his weapon again, Sergeant Pepper called his name.

Joe! Get away from Doyle, Swat will handle this. You’re going home, kid. Joe quickly walked away from the action and hopped into the squad car.

As Joe and Celentano drove away in 6-50, a strange incident was announced on the police scanner. All available units to the corner of Church Street and Madison Street. We have multiple reports of a large mob of people attacking and eating people. Joe and Celentano looked at each other. Ugh, what the fuck is going on tonight? Joe asked.

Chapter 3

The Walking Plague

Hello, New Jersey, this is Maria Mendez, coming to you live on Channel 12 New Jersey NEWS.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me ask you all one question. What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic? Because by definition, we are currently experiencing both. This gruesome Walking Plague that is literally walking among us as we speak, is sadly and unfortunately getting worse.

Maria turned to face another camera, Here with me right now is Doctor Ana White. Doctor, how are you doing this morning?

I’m doing fine, thank you for asking. Dr. White gave a smile and a nod, Thank you for having me also, she added.

Thank you for joining us on this dreary winter morning.

Thank you for having me on your show, Mrs. Mendez, Dr. White responded again.

Dr. White, would you care to talk about and educate the people on what you know about this odd, scary, and vicious disease?

Sitting with her legs crossed, and leaning forward, to grab her coffee mug, Dr. White calmly started to address Mrs. Mendez.

Mrs. Mendez, Dr. White cleared her throat. It has been one whole week since this mysterious outbreak was first reported. Dr. White placed her coffee mug back down on the table, as she uncrossed her legs.

The first known reports were at St. Joe’s Hospital in Paterson, NJ. On the same night, in the same city, there was another report. This one is much greater than the one at St. Joe’s.

Maria interrupted Dr. White. Doc, what do you know about this disease?

Well, we know it’s spreading by bite Dr. White explained. Maria, locked in on the conversation, while slowly shaking her head up and down, and squinting her eyes, while swallowing another gulp of her morning coffee.

We know that there is venom in the bite, similar to that of a venomous snake. But, this particular venom kills its victim in approximately 20 minutes.

And don’t forget to mention that these people get bit, die, and then come back as a walking corpse, Maria interjected again.

Yes, Mrs. Mendez. That is the really odd and scary part, Dr. White responded.

But why do they get sick, then get crazed and then crave human flesh!?! Mrs. Mendez interjected. Well. Dr. White began, as she cleared her throat and tinkered with her collar, Don’t forget. They get sick, then they die, then they come back as an undead corpse, and then show a crazed and craving for human flesh, Dr. White finished. And, as of right now, we do not have a cure, or an answer to how and why this is happening. And this disease is spreading extremely fast throughout our beautiful country, Dr. White responded, as she leaned forward to grab her cup of coffee.

Stupid question, Maria began as she took another gulp of coffee, now setting it down on the table. Can we use rubbing alcohol on the bite?

No, Dr. White responded, which was met by a long pause.

This is crazy, Maria said, and shook her head hysterically, as she stared down at her coffee, clutching it with both of her hands. Hey Doc, Maria responded, perking up a bit as she faced Dr. White again. So, if somebody were to get bit, are there any ways that they can prevent death? Maria asked. Yes! There most certainly is, Dr. White responded.

Ok, good. So, let’s hear it, Maria replied as she rocked her body back and forth, and chuckled nervously.

So, we can either try to suck the venom out of the bitten body part, or we can amputate it, to stop the venom from killing the body, Dr. White replied as she nervously rubbed her hands together.

Amputate!?! Maria lunged forward, shocked and startled. While remaining seated in her chair, she placed her coffee mug on the table. Now, Doc, those two solutions seem a little extreme, don’t you think? I mean, I could understand trying to suck the venom out, but not amputating the body part, Maria said, chuckling nervously.

Well, Mrs. Mendez, we are currently living in extreme times, aren’t we Dr. White responded, with a sad smile on her face.

Ok, Doc. So, the two solutions that you’ve just mentioned, do they work? Maria asked.

If you amputate the body part quickly enough, yes, Doctor replied.

But what about sucking the venom out?

Dr. White started to shake her head, her frustration began to show. Sucking the venom out isn’t a guarantee that the victim will survive.

But amputation is!?! Maria asked.

Shrugging her shoulders and making a face, Dr. White responded right back, No, amputation isn’t a guarantee either, Mrs. Mendez. I’m really sorry.

So, how do we stop the spread of this virus, Doctor? Maria asked, getting gradually concerned.

"As of right now, we really don’t know, it’s all luck and risk. All I can advise is, don’t get bit. Dr. White responded.

Don’t get bit, Dr. White!?! After this whole discussion, all you have for the people is, don’t get bit!! This is a crock of shit!

The news producer quickly ran onto the set to cool things off, walking closer to the two women as he slapped his hands together and nervously smiled. Well, folks, that’s all that we have time for this segment. Dr. White, thank you for joining us this morning. The news producer intervened.

(Seven days earlier, back at Joe’s House, the night of the bite)

As Joe eagerly and frantically drove up his driveway, he couldn’t stop thinking about what had just happened—the night he had just had and what he had just experienced. Sergeant Pepper sent him home; he had told Joe that they would be in touch.

As Joe parked his truck in his driveway, he started to shake his head in disbelief. As he started to cry a little bit, he placed both of his hands over his face.

What the fuck just happened? This has to be a damn dream. Joe jumped out of his truck and walked toward his house. The time was approximately 9:50 p.m. and his father was in the living room watching the New York Knicks play.

As Joe entered the house, he couldn’t hide what he had just witnessed. His dad jumped up off of the couch in surprise that his son was home a little over an hour early from work.

Hey Champ, how was work today, why are you home before shift change? And why are there tears in your eyes? Joe’s dad cautiously asked.

Joe responded in a monotonous voice, Doyle is dead, as he wiped his eyes with the back of his right hand, what!?! How the hell!?! What happened!?! Joe’s dad reacted in pure shock. Doyle was like a second son to him.

Shaking his head in total disbelief still, Joe responds,

Dad, today was a regular day, everything was going great, nice and smooth. And then this man was brought in off of the streets. Long story short, he bit Doyle. And within 20 minutes, Doyle was pronounced dead by the E.R team at St. Joe’s.

Yeah, but that’s a human bite. The hospital should be able to treat that, Joe’s Dad responded.

Dad, Joe said, just staring down at the counter, because he is so shocked and exhausted by the day he just endured. This bite wasn’t a regular human bite, there was venom in it. The venom is probably what killed Doyle.

Joe’s dad, pacing around his kitchen with his hands on his head, asked, Ok. So, what about Doyle’s parents?

What about his parents, dad? Joe replied.

What about his parents, Joe!?! Doyle dies and nobody contacts his parents!?! Joe’s dad shouted.

Dad, Doyle’s death wasn’t even the thick of the night. Joe responded. Very cautiously, Joe Senior asked, What-do-you mean- the- thick- of- the night?

Joe explained everything to his father. If this was any other circumstance, Joe Sr. would have thought his son was either on drugs or playing a really cruel joke. But this was Doyle, Joe’s best friend since kindergarten, and in the local police department. Plus, the look of pure shock, heartbreak and horror on his son’s face told it all. This was no cruel joke. The father and son just hugged and called it a night.

Joe’s alarm went off at 5:40 a.m. As he woke up and made his way downstairs, he noticed his father was already awake and in the living room, watching Channel 12 NEWS New Jersey. They both addressed each other with a formal good morning greeting.

As Joe Sr. was eating his bowl of Cheerios, he pointed out to his son that for the last few hours, the news broadcast had been covering this mysterious virus that was going around.

Dad, is that what you think it is? Joe asked his father.

Yeah, Joe, these guys have been covering it since 3:00 this morning. Everything from news cameras to cell phones. This thing is all over the place, the TV, internet and social media, people are really shaken up and alarmed by this. The news is calling it The Walking Plague Virus. Do you have work today? Joe Sr. asked his son.

No dad, I’m off.

Just as Joe finally sat down on the living room couch to continue watching the news, his phone rang.

Hello? Joe answered.

Who is it? Joe Sr. asked.

Joe instantly held out his left hand and extended his pointer finger (as a hang on, one moment gesture). Joe then pulled the phone away from his ear for a quick moment, and said, It’s Sergeant Pepper. Joe held the phone back to the ear on the right side of his head. As Sergeant Pepper began to talk, Joe was bombarded and overwhelmed with emotional words from his beloved Sergeant.

Joe! Are you watching the news!?! How the hell in just a few hours did this disease get really bad!! It’s all over the place!! Sergeant Pepper said.

Yeah, Serg, we have to figure this out, and quick. I just can’t believe what happened to Doyle last night. I mean, the whole thing was a nightmare, I wish it was a dream Joe responded.

I know. At first, it was hard for me to believe, both when you told me what was going on, and when I arrived on the scene. Sergeant Pepper paused for a second, Everybody was shocked. Anyway, Joe, can you come in at 8:00 a.m. to be with me? We’ll write that report together.

Joe took a moment to respond as he looked around the living room and at his father as he ate his Cheerios and eyed his son talking on the phone. Ah, yeah, Serg. I’ll meet up with you.

Great! Meet me at the jail. Sergeant Pepper paused and took a deep breath, and added, Plus the Warden wants to talk to us.

Ok, see you then, Joe responded.

Joe immediately started to get ready. He jumped right into his normal morning routine. But this morning was different, not only because he was getting ready to go into work on his day off, but also because everything felt like it was in slow motion. Joe had just lost his best friend the night before, not even twelve hours ago, and in a very unexpected and horrifying, traumatic way.

As Joe was getting ready, he looked at himself in the bathroom mirror, and suddenly started to feel dizzy. He began to float in and out of consciousness. He began to hallucinate. He saw himself and smacked himself in the face very aggressively.

As this happened, he heard Doyle’s voice call out to him: Joe! Don’t let them take me, Joe! Help me! Doyle’s voice sounded like it was floating energy, moving through time and space. Then suddenly, Joe regained consciousness and his composure and finished getting ready.

After getting dressed in civilian clothes, Joe made his way downstairs. As he walked through the kitchen, his father stopped him, pointing at him from roughly ten feet away.

Hey, you watch your ass out there, ok!?! I don’t want to get a phone call that you got attacked by any of those sick people. It’s bad enough that the world is already rough out there, now this!! Just promise me you’ll be alright.

Joe walked toward his father and gave him a meaningful hug,

I will, dad. I shouldn’t be down there too long. I just have to write that stupid report and talk to the warden.

Good, I noticed that you have your off duty piece on you, smart move, Joe Sr. replied, with a prideful smile on his face.

As Joe was driving to the jail, he couldn’t help but notice that something was a little off with the normal morning flow. Fewer cars were on the road, fewer people were on the sidewalks, and some businesses were closed for the day. Hmm, I hope this ain’t got anything to do with last night, Joe said out loud to himself, not wanting to accept what had happened last night.

As Joe came to a